Another Barton Jail inmate dies, man found in 'medical distress'
Families who lost loved ones at the jail are planning a rally Sunday at 2 p.m.
An inmate at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre died Thursday after being found in medical distress in his cell, according to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Officials have released few details about the man's death, but Hamilton police say they responded to the "sudden death" of a 34-year-old inmate around 11:30 p.m.
The man's death has been deemed non-suspicious, added Const. Jerome Stewart.
The investigation has been turned over to the coroner's office, which will investigate the cause and manner of death, said ministry spokesperson Andrew Morrison.
If that investigation determines the death was not due to natural causes an inquest in mandatory.
Cheryl Mahyr, a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Coroner, confirmed the office is investigating, but declined to provide any details, citing privacy concerns.
The ministry will also complete its own internal examination to find out if its policies and procedures were followed.
Families plan to rally for change
The death comes as families of eight men who died of overdoses at the jail, and were the subject of a weeks-long inquest, wait to hear back from the ministry about 62 jury recommendations covering everything from drug use and contraband to searches and support programs.
Nearly a year later, those families are still hoping the heart-wrenching process will bring change, but the ministry won't respond until May.
The same recommendations have been put forward year, after year, after year and nothing has been implemented.- April Tykoliz
April Tykoliz, whose brother Marty died at the jail in 2014, said she heard about the death early Friday.
"All of us are so upset and devastated," she said.
Just last weekend families who lost loved ones rallied outside the detention centre, demanding changes to the correctional system.
On Friday, Tykoliz said she had already been in contact with others who have lost loved ones there and said they're planning another rally outside the building's high, orange walls for Sunday at 2 p.m.
She said the families can't understand why it's taking so long for the ministry to implement changes to help both guards and inmates.
"We're just terrified. We don't understand … there are problems that are very apparent, they've been going on for so many years and those don't need to wait," Tykoliz explained.
"The same recommendations have been put forward year, after year, after year and nothing has been implemented."